The shocking photograph we carry today (Tuesday) of little Curtis Martin proves yet again that no section of the community in Northern Ireland has a monopoly on sectarianism.
Although the Twelfth period was relatively quiet in most areas, there were still a number of ugly confrontations in and around Belfast.
Clashes between rival crowds had the potential to develop into full-scale riots but the most serious incident came when nationalist stone-throwers targeted a passing car in the Cromac Street district of the city.
The idea that a five-year-old boy could be singled out for attack simply because he wore a football jersey associated with a particular club is repugnant in every way.
It is clear that the missile which struck the child could have left him blinded for life and might even have killed him.
As it was, only a five-hour operation prevented Curtis from losing his sight in one eye. The trauma suffered by the victim and his family can only be imagined and the hope must be that Curtis makes a full recovery.
Over recent days, nationalists and loyalists have both been all too ready to engage in sectarian violence.
It is bad enough when adults take out their hatred on each other but the fact that a child barely old enough to have started primary school was left in intensive care is appalling.
Throwing rocks at passing cars is a reckless action which has led to fatalities in the past.
Precisely the same kind of mentality was at work just a short distance away from the Cromac Street outrage when loyalists desecrated a memorial to the five victims of the 1992 massacre at Sean Graham's bookmakers on the Ormeau Road.
Five innocent people, ranging in age from 16 to 66, died when loyalist gunmen raked the bookie's with automatic weapons.
Loyalists returned to the scene over the weekend to splatter the memorial with yellow paint in a blatantly provocative gesture.
Many courageous individuals are working tirelessly behind the scenes on both sides of the divide to build understanding between the two traditions and ease tensions.
While the events of the last few days may have been depressing, they proved that reconciliation is still one of the most important priorities facing this society.
